Page 44 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
“Are you all right?” Lacy asked as she came into the back area.
“I’m fine.” Grady gave an empty smile and went back to kneading dough.
She stared at him and frowned. “I haven’t seen Uzoth around the past couple of days.”
“He is up on the rooftop.” Grady kept his gaze on the dough. “He’s just outside.”
“I mean in the house or anything.” Lacy walked towards him. “He’s not been around you.”
Grady did not look up. “I’ve been busy.”
“Well, I just—” The bell over the front door tinkled.
“You should probably help Cas serve,” Grady said.
Lacy lingered. Then went to the front.
The past couple of days, Grady had gotten good at avoiding questions. Although, he had told the truth to Lacy. Uzoth watched over them. Grady was busy.
What more was there to say? That he was heartbroken? Lonely? Had given up the gargoyle he loved?
“Do you want a sugar cookie, Grady?” Cas asked, coming around the back. He held one out, decorated like a snowflake.
Grady took a bite. “Thanks.” The buttery, sweet cookie with hints of vanilla melted on his tongue. “It’s good. Really good, Cas.”
Cas’s wings fluttered. “I just hope it cheers you up a little.” He smiled. Then he glanced to the front. “I need to help serve, but I’ll put on some tea for you when I have a moment. Ginger and lemon with lots of honey, I think.” Then he flew off.
Grady ate the rest of the cookie.
“Mix it just like that,” Briar said to Wulfric as he taught his werewolf mate to make the fillings for dried plum tarts.
Meanwhile, Jack and Avery stood by the shelves of ingredients.
“This here is cinnamon.” Jack pointed. “We have it ground and in sticks.”
Avery nodded, hanging off Jack’s words as he explained how the different forms of cinnamon could be used.
At the moment, Lachlan and Kit were upstairs after having worked that morning. They’d come to terms with being lovers whilst also being a witch and his familiar. Cas was happy with Graal. And Lacy was happy with Orim. All his other siblings were well and happy too.
Grady let out a breath. If he had to sacrifice his own chance at love so he could provide his family with the stability and time to find happiness for themselves, it was worth it.
Taking a deep breath, he placed the dough in a bowl, draped a cloth over it, and allowed it to rest.
CHAPTER 25
Grady was cornered in the bakery the moment Ordelia took one look at him.
“You look miserable!” Ordelia whispered so the others couldn’t hear. “I spoke to Trent and Lacy earlier. They told me how you freaked out over forgetting to put a protection spell on her apartment. And now look at the sight of you.”
She gestured to him. “Your eyes are red. The bags under your eyes have bags. And what’s going on there?” She pointed at the twitching muscle beneath his left eye. “And have you been eating?”
“I’m fine.” Grady tried to step past her.
But she wasn’t having it. “And what’s this I hear about Uzoth not being around? Or being around but on the rooftop?” Ordelia gestured vaguely in the direction Uzoth usually sat. “They say he hasn’t moved the last couple of days and hasn’t come inside. What happened?”
Grady glanced past Ordelia. Most of his siblings worked or played with Ruthie and Michael. Ordelia had brought them with her to the bakery. No one was paying Ordelia and Grady any attention.
“I just don’t have time to be with him,” Grady said. “I can’t do it all.”
